Faith Alone Saves Us

Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace!” [Luke 7:70 (GW)]

Lord, thank you for your saving grace. It would be easier, however, if we could buy or work our way into heaven. Deeds or writing checks are over and done with but maintaining a relationship with you means work. Faith is a tough requirement, because it requires complete trust in you. We have to give you the reins to our lives. Relieve our fears so that we fully accept this beautiful gift you so readily offer.

Be a man of faith, and faith will sustain you.
Sustain a life of love, and love will embrace you.
Embrace God’s grace, and His grace will follow you.
Follow in His footsteps, and His footsteps will lead to life everlasting.
[Christine Lahee]

The Giver of All Gifts

He did all this so you would never say to yourself, “I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful. [Deuteronomy 8:16-17a (NLT)]

Father, giver of gifts, I know that every person and everything I have in my life comes from you. Anything I have achieved is only because you have allowed it to be so. In the abundance of your blessings, don’t let me forget the giver of these gifts. Thank you, O Lord, thank you!

 

God’s Prescriptions

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? … No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [Romans 8:35,37 (NLT)]

When life hurts, when we are in pain or trouble, suffering or desolate, desperate or depressed, does that mean God doesn’t love us? No! God love us and will never abandon us. Anything that brings us to our knees and makes us call out to Him can’t ever be a bad thing!

Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for his prescription. [Sir Isaac Newton]

He Carries Your Picture in His Wallet

But the Lord says, “Can a woman forget her baby? Can she forget the child who came from her body? Even if she can forget her children, I cannot forget you. I drew a picture of you on my hand. You are always before my eyes.” [Isaiah 49:15-16 (ERV)]

O Lord, thank you for the reassurance that you never forget about me, especially since I so often seem to forget about you. I am, indeed, blessed that your love for me doesn’t depend on how faithful I am to you! Forgive me, Father, for my lack of faith; may I never again lose sight of you. Let my love for you be as unwavering as yours is for me.

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart. And the Christmas gift he sent you in Bethlehem? Face it, friend. He’s crazy about you. [From “A Gentle Thunder” by Max Lucado]

 

He Loves Us All

The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, powerful, and awe-inspiring God. He never plays favorites and never takes a bribe. [Deuteronomy 10:17 (GW)]

Thank you, Lord, for loving each of us as if we were your only child!

Then Peter said, “Now I understand that God doesn’t play favorites. Rather, whoever respects God and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.” [Acts 10:34-35 (GW)]

It matters not what race or gender,
Rich or poor or great or small,
The God who made us is not partial;
He sent Christ to die for all. [Dennis DeHaan]

 

An Amazing Offer

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [John 3:16 (NIV)]

The words of John 3:16, if believed, can bring us great comfort and peace. If we don’t believe them, however, we might be confused by this extravagant and unbelievable exchange: God traded his only child for a bunch of thankless sinners! That kind of sacrifice seems totally inconceivable. This exchange may appear irrational to some, but let’s consider how much crazier it would be to turn down His extraordinary offer of eternal life.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His love endures forever. [Psalm 136:1 (NIV)]